Among the winners were Sun Pharma, TCS, Asian Paints, Infosys, Yes Bank and ICICI Bank -- rising up to 1.66 per cent.

Sectorally, auto and metal indices took the worst hit, falling over 3 per cent.

Auto stocks plunged on weak domestic passenger vehicle sales numbers, which continued to be in a slow lane in December with major players reporting either marginal increase or decline in offtake during the month on account of adverse macro-economic conditions.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee fell sharply against the US dollar, hitting a low of 70.06 against the US dollar in the afternoon trade, down 63 paise.